8 gems of stores where you will find unique gifts and great seasonal cheer

4:32 PM,
Nov. 21, 2012

An abalone and brass chunky necklace at Just Funki.

Written by

Jeanne Muchnick
For The Journal News

If you are a Black Friday commando, you've probably already drawn up your dawn (or later today) plan of attack on the mall. For the rest of us, who haven't even written our lists yet, we have a kinder, gentler strategy.

Shop local.

Keeping your buying expedition close to home supports our communities, keeps our villages and towns vibrant, and preserves dollars in our local economies, especially important after the losses suffered during Superstorm Sandy and its aftermath. Plus, and this is a big plus for lots of us, it's way less stressful to work gift-purchasing into your usual round of ...